{ Frequently Asked Questions }

1 What contributes to the cost of a funeral?

Funerals, just as weddings and births, are the great events of life. The difference between them is weddings and births are happy times, therefore they do not raise very much sensitivity to their cost. Funeral homes never close. They operate 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, 24 hours a day. It is a labor intensive business. Funeral costs include more than items, such as caskets. They are extensive for the facility, grounds, rolling stock, and for staffing.

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2 What is embalming?

Embalming is a surgical procedure, that is performed by a licensed practitioner, for the purpose of disinfecting, and preserving a human remains for viewing and /or funeral services. The embalming process makes it possible to lengthen the time between death and the final disposition, allowing family members time to arrange and participate in the type of service they desire. Embalming was perfected during the Civil War. President Abraham Lincoln instructed the Quartermaster Corporation to utilize embalming as much as possible in order to send the boys killed in the war back home for a funeral.

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3 Is embalming required by law?

No, it isn’t. But most States require embalming when death is due to a contagious disease, or when remains are being transported to another State, or if a remains hasn’t been placed in its final disposition within a certain number of hours.

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4 What is a Funeral Director?

A funeral director is there to listen, and to advise you at your time of need. They handle many administrative tasks in regard to death. They are experienced in helping bereaved people to cope with death.

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5 What information is needed when I come to make arrangements for a deceased family member?

6 What is the purpose of a Funeral or Memorial Service?

– Declaration of having had life
– An affirmation of having had a religious faith
– Confirms the finality of death and helps with the healing process
– Allows the sorrow of one to become the sorrow of many

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7 If cremation is chosen, can you still have a funeral?

Yes, a funeral service can be held first, and cremation can follow. Cremation is the second most common form of disposition and can be chosen due to cost, religious belief, or ethnic background.